Confused about status of Computer Science...

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>Linear algebra is certainly crucial to comp. graphics, but I’m not sure where you’re getting Calculus from.</p>

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<p>I also wonder if the Computer Science department being separate from the Engineering dept would make a difference in how much math has to be taken for the CS major. At VaTech, CS is part of the engineering department - calculus was required as were several other upper level math courses. My son has ended up double-majoring in CS and math because he figured he only needed to take about 5 extra math courses for the major. Sorry to say, he’s one of those “naturals” at math and willingly chose to take a few math courses for fun.</p>

23

<p>Our son is in the exact same position. He could take three math courses for a math minor or five for a double major. He came in with a year of dual-enrollment credits so he has plenty of time for the extra math courses and he’s already taken two of them for fun.</p>

<p>Calculus III provides a nice introduction to vectors and working in three dimensions and doing the sequence Calc I-II-III -> Linear Algebra makes for a smoother transition than Calc I-II -> Linear Algebra.</p>

24

<p>So when it comes down to math in CS, there are around 4 classes:
*Calc. 1
*Calc. 2
*Linear Algebra
*Discrete</p>

<p>?</p>

25

<p>Keep in mind that the theoretical CS requirements for the major are essentially math courses, too. (At some schools, they are cross-listed CS/Math). </p>

<p>At UMD, we know many math majors who wind up double majoring in CS. A number of folks take the three semester CS sequence for their phys sci requirement within the major and then only have a couple courses left to complete a CS major, too. Works out esp. nice if you come in with AP credit, as UMD is generous on that score.</p>

26

<p>Calc 1+2, Discrete and Stats are usually required. My son’s school doesn’t require linear algebra unless you’re taking graphics. He just took it for fun.</p>

<p>The usual base for CS theory are languages, foundations and algorithms.</p>

27

<p>@CountingDown:</p>

<p>Can you explain the theoretical CS reqs? How are they like, and how do they relate to math?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>[MIT</a> OpenCourseWare | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 6.046J Introduction to Algorithms (SMA 5503), Fall 2005 | Home](<a href=“http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Electrical-Engineering-and-Computer-Science/6-046JFall-2005/CourseHome/]MIT”>http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Electrical-Engineering-and-Computer-Science/6-046JFall-2005/CourseHome/)</p>

<p>[Theory</a> of Computation](<a href=“http://www.aduni.org/courses/theory/]Theory”>http://www.aduni.org/courses/theory/)</p>

<p>[MIT</a> OpenCourseWare | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 6.035 Computer Language Engineering (SMA 5502), Fall 2005 | Home](<a href=“http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Electrical-Engineering-and-Computer-Science/6-035Fall-2005/CourseHome/]MIT”>http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Electrical-Engineering-and-Computer-Science/6-035Fall-2005/CourseHome/)</p>